Implementation of the Upper Bhadra project has gained momentum with the State government intensifying the process of land acquisition.
The project will irrigate 1,07,265 hectares of land and fill 156 tanks in Chitradurga and Chikkamagaluru districts.
The irrigation project got an administrative approval of Rs. 12,340 crore in March first week, even though the foundation stone was laid in 2009 by the then Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa.
The government has now shifted the Special Tunga Land Acquisition Office from Shivamogga to Chitradurga as a first step towards intensifying the process of land acquisition. Chief Engineer of the project, Shridhar, took charge at the Chitradurga office with a 15-member staff five days ago.
According to official sources, notifications have been issued for acquisition of over 2,500 acres of private and bagair hukum land in three phases. Nearly 200 acres will be acquired in the first phase.
Fund set aside
A sum of Rs. 145 crore has been set aside for compensation as of now.
So far, the authorities have paid Rs. 34.23 crore to private land owners and Rs. 3.88 crore for bagair hukum land as reparation, sources said.
